Sizzle Chest Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Pics! LOL, sounds good. Keep us posted! b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted June 6, 2015 Author Share Posted June 6, 2015 (edited) I haven't made it back by the fab shop, but my mechanic has. he is keeping close tabs on progress and budget for me. Fortunately he is a much better mechanic than photgrapher, excuse the cell phone pics. We've cut the old 10 gal gas tank and spare tire well out and fabricated a new cargo area to support a first gen Camaro gas tank. They also cut the floor to weld the Chris Alston sub frame connectors, and tied in the rear trans mount. Still lots to more to go, but here's progress: This is the area under the cargo deck floor. The cutout is for access to the top of the gas tank. The fill neck will behind the license plate like factory. This is primarily a street car, so no fuel cell. From underneath at the same area. It should look factory when we're done: Here's a close up of the cut in the belly to install the sub frame connectors. These are about 48" long, and the rear trans mount ties into them. Bruce Edited June 6, 2015 by b_pappy 69supersport396 and LFairbanks 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle Chest Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 Cool. Was gonna ask why you didn't just put a cell back there, but you answered that! Like the idea of keeping the filler in the factory spot. Pretty trick. b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted June 12, 2015 Author Share Posted June 12, 2015 A little more progress, and better pictures. Motor mounts, trans mount, sub frame connectors are in, gas tank area almost done. These guys are really doing a top notch job. A liilte more to do, thenn should be back from fab next week, and ready for engine. It will go back and forth a few times. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle Chest Posted June 13, 2015 Share Posted June 13, 2015 Suspension setup is looking good! Nice tubular control arms and coil overs. Nice! b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted June 20, 2015 Author Share Posted June 20, 2015 (edited) Project Vega made it back from the fab shop. These guys did great work. As mentioned, they built the rear area to hold a 1st gen Camaro gas tank, fixed the motor mounts (R/S was way off) built the trans mount, did the sub frame connectors, reinforced the upper and lower rear shock mounts to handle the extra load from the coil overs, nerfed the front bumper, adapted the steering shaft, and the list goes on. Then I had body shop etch, prime and paint all the new metal, seal all the external seams and undercoat the areas. A few new pics. Not quite sure how I'll finish the interior. I'm leaning towards Zolotone spatter trunk paint, after we seal all the seams. This will be under the rear cargo deck panel. Kind of a shame to spray their beautiful sheet metal work, but had to be done. I really like the way he built up the upper and lower coil over mounts. Since he has built pro stock cars before, we're both happy with the results. The gas tank will cover most of this anyhow. You can't even hardly see the sub frame connectors, but boy are they beefy. Again, going with his chassis experience, we're both happy with the results. Not much protection, but the nerfed bumpers look so good. Bruce Edited June 20, 2015 by b_pappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle Chest Posted June 20, 2015 Share Posted June 20, 2015 Great progress! Fab work looks very good. Front end looks like a mini split bumper Camaro!! Yeah! Spatter paint in trunk area will really look good and give it a good retro feel/look. Diggin that idea. Fill me in on your motor plans/specs and trans please! b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted June 22, 2015 Author Share Posted June 22, 2015 Thank you, yes, very happy with progress and results so far. Yeah, i always liked the spatter paint in trunks. Engine will be a ZZ383 (450 hp / 450 tq) backed with a 700R4 trans. Going to back off a bit on progress so the bank account can recover a bit. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle Chest Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Cool. That should scoot it along nicely! OK, I will wait for the next update! b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 (edited) Just an update, with not a lot of progress to report. Whoever said "building a Vega was cheap" never built a Vega. Anyhow, project is slowed down till I sell either or both of these. Not really listing them for sale here, but If anyone here is interested let me know, but they are listed on other sites. So, we're starting to Dynamat, and other small things that need to be done on the Vega. And yes, some people think I'm nuts to sell either of those to build a Vega. It's just something I want to build fo rmy wife and I to cruise in (1320' cruises). Bruce Edited July 29, 2015 by b_pappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69supersport396 Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Nice El Camino! b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemer Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Please add me to the list of people that think you are crazy for selling that El Camino. b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted August 1, 2015 Author Share Posted August 1, 2015 Please add me to the list of people that think you are crazy for selling that El Camino. Yeah, that's a long list, but I can't own all the cars I want at once, so I have to sell one occasionally. The wife is into the Vega project too which helps a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted August 29, 2015 Author Share Posted August 29, 2015 Well my El Co headed off to a new home today. Very sad to see it ride off into the sunset, but we ceratinly had lots of fun memories over the 10 years we owned it. I gave him some Adam's products to keep it clean. Hope he's a worthy owner. Bruce Schell21 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Moe Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Please add me to the list of people who wish that they had bought your El Camino! Can't wait to see how the Vega turns out. b_pappy and Beemer 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 My little project is still coming along. Finally went down to buy to the engine, out of stock. No biggie, let's order it. National stop sales order on it. Call a few dealers, even big ones like Scoggin-Dickey, no one is really sure what's going on, but confident a 383 will be back in the line up soon. I wait. Finally I get anxious and pull the plug, we'll just build one from scratch; SCAT rotating assembly, forged crank & rods, Comp roller cam, P&P alum heads, the wish list goes on. Today I hear from my trans guy that the ZZ383 was advertised at 450 HP, but only making about 440, so they called them all back home and will reidentify them as ST383 engines, rated at 420 HP (but still closer to 440 number). They were apparently afraid of a lawsuit. Oh well, mine is in work and will be a great motor, and should make even better numbers. So the project is still moving the right direction. We still have a ton to do too. Bruce LFairbanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle Chest Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 Good deal! Looking forward to hearing about the build...some pics etc! b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marylander Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 OH this is so cool. Great build. And I love the XLR. b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted October 6, 2015 Author Share Posted October 6, 2015 OH this is so cool. Great build. And I love the XLR. Thanks, appreciate the support. Yeah, sold the Elky, so the XLR is sticking around. Hopefully get some more info this Friday when I speak with the builders. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted February 26, 2016 Author Share Posted February 26, 2016 I haven't abandoned the project, just dealing with small hurdles. GM saw fit to discontinue, and recall unsold models of the crate motor I wanted, so I went with a custom build. Started with 350, 4 bolt main, then bored and stroked to 383, forged and balanced internals (American made naturally), aluminum heads, and lots of other great parts. Should be between 450 -500 HP and TQ, plenty for my little street car. Trans is ready too, a built 700 R4. Have to modify the custom oil pan, then start test fitting drivetrain. Still a long ways to go, but making progress. Bruce LFairbanks and Captain Slow 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blcksilv08 Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Very cool, that should be a pretty healthy powerplant. What size can are you running? b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted February 27, 2016 Author Share Posted February 27, 2016 Thanks. I don't have the spec numbers in front of me, but it's a roller cam, Comp Cams Thumpr series. That should work well on the street. blcksilv08 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrmccabe Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Very cool. Used to have buddy in School that had a V8 vega back when they had easy kits you could buy for V8 conversions. Come to think about it his brother had one too. b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle Chest Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Nice! 383 stroker should move that Vega NICELY!!!! Keep us posted...such a great project! b_pappy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted May 7, 2016 Author Share Posted May 7, 2016 update, but not a lot of progress. We installed an Edelbrock airgap manifold and Holley 750 carb on. Got an engine test stand so we can run it before we install it. Coming along slowly, hopefully the pace picks up a bit. Just didn't want anyone thinking the project was abandoned. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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